Fundraiser Saturday for disease victim

September 18, 2012

POCATELLO â€” At the pivotal age of 16, Marcy Gray was diagnosed with a disease that affects only only three out of every 1 million people in the United States. Gray has Aplastic Anemia, a rare blood disorder that leaves its victims easily bruised, at high risk for infections and severely exhausted.
Over the years, Gray had limited energy and would get her blood levels checked every month. While the disorder was annoying at best, it was not life-threatening until February of 2011 when Gray's levels went from low to severely low.
Gray said, "I couldn't breath. I had no energy and had severe bruising." Doctors then put Gray on a series of medication after she had a bone marrow biopsy. The medications caused seizures that put Gray in the hospital once again.
Gray, with three small children and a hard-working husband, felt her life spinning out of control. With a family to take care of, Gray just endured.
"I don't know how I do it, I just do it." she said of her motivation to make a normal life for her family.
With Gray's reaction to the medications and blood transfusions nearly daily, her medical team is now looking at a bone marrow transplant.
Gray's body is currently suffering from an Iron overload or secondary hemachromatosis, caused by too many blood transfusions. This is slowly affecting her other body organs and can lead to organ failure. Gray has already had her appendix and gall bladder removed and has had a hysterectomy.
With all the medical expenses and more on the docket, Gray's family is now seeking help. Gray will need to be in Salt Lake City for 100 days, 30-45 day of which will be spent in the hospital and then she must stay within 30 miles of the bone marrow clinic for the remaining of the 100 days.
A fall carnival will be held at O.K. Ward Park in Pocatello on Saturday from 6-9 p.m. Carnival organizers will offer dinner for $5 with a silent auction; a quilt raffle put on by Grandma's Sew and Sew and a cake auction also on the schedule.There will be a variety of activities for children to include a bouncy house, face painting, cotton candy and more. Carnival tickets will be 50 cents apiece. To donate items for the auction or for more information contact Kristi Casper 208-380-0108 or Grandma's Sew and Sews 208-237-7472. Donations are being accepted at Advantage Plus Federal Credit Union under Donna Byington DBA Rainbows for Marcy.